Antwaan Randle-El, Landon Turner head IU 2012 Hall of Fame Class

Former quarterback Antwaan Randle-El and forward Landon Turner were named to Indiana’s 2012 Hall of Fame Class. The release follows.

2012 IU ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME CLASS ANNOUNCED

Indiana University will welcome seven new members to its Athletic Hall of Fame IU Vice-President and Director of Athletics Fred Glass announced today.

Antwaan Randle El (Football, 1998-2001), Landon Turner (Men’s Basketball, 1979-81), Michelle Venturella (Softball, 1991-95), Dave Martin (Varsity Club Director, football 1959-61), Leanne Grotke (Coordinator of Women’s Athletics, 1972-79), Bobby Robertson (Football, 1949-52, Baseball, 1954) and Lary Schulhof (Swimming, 1962-64), will be officially inducted at the annual Hall of Fame dinner on November 2nd, and will be recognized at halftime of the football game against Iowa at Memorial Stadium, the following day.

“These individuals embody the spirit for which administrators, coaches and student-athletes are best known at Indiana University. IU Athletics has long been a benchmark of excellence — both in the classroom and in competition—and these Hoosier greats certainly are responsible for helping establish that,” said Glass. “We have great strengths and traditions because of their efforts, and it is with much gratitude that we recognize them for their service to IU.”
The IU Athletics Hall of Fame, established in 1982 by the Department of Athletics in conjunction with the Varsity Club and I Association, recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the prestige of IU both on and off the field of competition.

Inductees have brought much distinction and honor to IU and have established a tradition of excellence which is incomparable. Their achievements have touched everyone associated with IU. From the inception of intercollegiate athletics at Indiana to the present, none have better exemplified the true spirit of athletic competition at Indiana than those honored players, coaches and administrators.

2012 INDUCTEES

ANTWAAN RANDLE EL (Football – 1998-2001)—One of the most dynamic offensive performers in Big Ten history, Antwaan Randle El came to IU from Riverdale, Illinois and won football letters in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001. Randle El earned All-Big Ten distinction in 1999, 2000 and 2001, and Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 1998. Antwaan was named Big Ten Most Valuable Player in 2001 and 1st team All-American in 2001. He finished 6th in Heisman Trophy balloting in 2001, after finishing 13th in 2000. Antwaan was the first player in NCAA history to score 40 touchdowns (45) and throw for 40 touchdowns (42), first to record over 2,500 total yards in four seasons, first to pass for over 6,000 yards and first to rush for over 3,000 yards. The Thompson-Randle El Award, given to the Big Ten’s best freshman football player is named in his honor. A tremendous all-around athlete, while at Indiana Randle El also played on the men’s basketball and baseball teams. He played in the NFL for 10 years with Pittsburgh and Washington and was a member of the winning Super Bowl team in Pittsburgh in 2005.
LANDON TURNER (Basketball – 1979-1981)–A native of Indianapolis, Landon Turner won basketball letters in 1979, 1980 and 1981and was a starter on and key member of the 1981 NCAA National Championship team. He averaged 7.5 points and 3.8 rebounds and shot 53.3 % from the field during his career. Heading into a senior year filled with great promise, Turner was in a traffic accident that left him paralyzed. Turner eventually graduated from Indiana in 1984 and went on to play wheelchair basketball. In 1982, he was named an honorary All-American by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association and drafted by the Boston Celtics. One of the most beloved players in IU basketball history, Turner remains an inspiration to Hoosier fans the world over.

MICHELLE VENTURELLA (Softball – 1991-95)–One of the most accomplished team sport athletes in IU history, Michelle Venturella won softball letters in 1991, 1993, 1994, and 1995. The South Holland, Ill. native was named All-Big Ten in 1994 and 1995, Academic All-Big Ten in 1993, 1994, 1995, 2nd team All-America in 1994, 3rd team All-America in 1995 and IU Female Athlete of the Year in 1995. Michelle won IU’s Big Ten Medal in 1995 and set conference records in batting average, total bases and runs batted-in in 1994. She holds IU season records for runs, doubles, home runs and runs batted in, while also owning the career record for runs batted in. She is 2nd on career lists for hits, 3rd in runs and home runs, and 4th in batting average. Michelle was a member of the USA softball team for six years, helping the United States to a gold medal in both1996 and 2000.. Michelle was also part of the 1998 World Championship gold medal team. Michelle is currently the head coach at University of Illinois-Chicago, position she has held since 2008. Prior to UIC, she was an assistant at Iowa for six years – including four as associate head coach, and an assistant coach at Northern Illinois for two years.
DAVE MARTIN (Varsity Club Director; Football – 1959-61)– A Bloomington native, Dave Martin became the third director of the IU Varsity Club in 1971 and served for 35 years in athletic fund raising, with titles of Varsity Club Director, Associate Athletic Director, and Special Advisor to athletics. During his tenure as Varsity Club Director, Dave was instrumental in establishing the Athletic Endowment Fund, the University Ticket Priority System, the IU Athletics Hall of Fame, the Varsity Club National Board, and countless other key Varsity Club initiatives. Dave joined the IU Foundation in 1969 to work on the 150th birthday fund, and then served the IU Alumni Association as director of alumni clubs and continuing education. Dave won football letters from 1959-61 and was voted outstanding defensive lineman in 1961.

LEANNE GROTKE (Coordinator of IU Women’s Athletics & Director of Women’s Sports – 1972-79) — Leanne Grotke ushered in the era of women’s varsity sports at IU. A native of Destin, Fla., Grotke came to IU after graduating from Bowling Green State University and served as coordinator of IU women’s athletics and Director of Women’s Sports from 1972-79. Leanne oversaw the transition of women’s athletics from school of HPER to athletic department. She earned a Master’s Degree from IU in 1966. Leanne also served as AIAW Commissioner for National Championships in 1966. Grotke worked for 26 years in athletic administration at Cal State Fullerton. The Grotke Award is named in her honor and it recognizes living I Women who, as alumnae, have made exceptional contributions to the women’s athletic program at IU Bloomington. It is the highest honor of its kind given by the university.

BOBBY ROBERTSON (Football – 1949-52; Baseball – 1954) –Another in the long line of great IU two sport athletes, Robertson won football letters in 1949, 1950, 1952 and baseball letter in 1954. He was IU most valuable player in football in 1950 as a halfback. Bobby led the Hoosiers in rushing, scoring and punting in both 1949 and 1950, and set an IU record with 185 rushing yards in a victory over Notre Dame in 1950. He led the Big Ten in punting in 1949 and 1951 and his career 38.0 average was an IU record for 16 seasons. In his only season of baseball, he was named All-Big Ten and led the league in hitting with a .438 average.

LARY SCHULHOF (Swimming – 1962-64) —A Muncie, Ind. native, Schulhof won swimming letters in 1962, 1963 and 1964 was captain in 1963 and 1964. He was the U.S. National Champion in the 100 and 200 butterfly in 1962, and was a member of the world record relay teams in 4×100 freestyle in 1964 and 4×100 medley in 1963. Schulhof was also a member of 1964 US Olympic team. He owned the American record in 200 butterfly. In his three-year career at Indiana, Schulhof posted six top-five finishes at the NCAA Championships, three each in the 100 butterfly and 200 butterfly. He was also a member of three 400 medley relay teams that finished third at the NCAA meet.

Post navigation

2 comments

Landon Turner and Steve Downing(2009 inductee) ….Maybe I’m just showing my age, but I can’t think of two Hoosiers that are more decent men embodying the true undaunted spirit of Indiana basketball.

I saw Landon Turner in a Kroger a few years ago..I should have said hello, but I gave him his privacy. I wish the inhabitants this world could have half the character and kindness so evident a quite and humble man incapable of blame and shallow regrets…Moving about the grocery aisles in the cruel fate that chair made him no less a giant to me.

I’ve always believed Landon Turner was the most gifted basketball player to ever put on the candy striped warm-ups. I also believe his improved play, late in that season, was the primary reason IU won the championship in 1981. He had not even come close to reaching his potential when he was involved in that tragic accident the following summer.

One of my greatest memories is of the day Landon Turner returned to Assembly Hall the following season. I will never forget the ovation those of us in attendance, some 18,000 members of the Hoosier Nation, gave him when he was wheeled on to the floor. That memory inspires me to this day.